Wondering how to make cold brew that tastes better than what you get at your local coffee shop? In this blog post, we’ll share some little-known tips that make cold brew at Canal Coffee one of the locals’ favorite drinks.
Key Takeaways
Cold brew doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does deserve attention.
- Start with the basics: coarse grind, filtered water, and the right steeping time (12-18 hours).
- Don’t skip the details: good water, consistent grind, and proper straining make or break your brew.
- Level it up: a pinch of salt smooths bitterness, while subtle infusions (cinnamon, orange peel, vanilla) can take your cup to the next level.
5 Tips on How to Make Cold Brew Better
Before we go to these 5 tips that will transform your cold brew, let’s first get the basics right. Here is a step-by-step instruction on how to make cold brew:
- Weigh & grind coffee beans.
- Grind like coarse sea salt.
- Combine
- Add grounds to your jar. Pour in cold, filtered water. Stir for 20-30 seconds.
- Cover & steep cold
- Lid on and let it steep for 14-18 hours.
- Give it one gentle stir mid-steep (optional)
- You can do this at the 5-6 hour mark.
- Strain #1 (coarse catch)
- If using a French press, press slowly and decant. Otherwise, pour through a fine-mesh strainer. Stop before the silty bottom slides out.
- Strain #2 (for smaller grounds)
- Run it through a paper coffee filter (or a tight cloth). This will remove the grit and that dusty aftertaste. If you like those, you can skip this step.
- Dilute to taste
- If you brew concentrate, start 1:1 with cold water or milk. But this ratio will depend on your preference so feel free to experiment.
- Store
- Keep the bottle airtight and refrigerate it for up to 7-10 days. You should also shake it before pouring.
Now that you know the basics, let’s see how to make cold brew even better.
Don’t Just Use Any Water
Cold brew is mostly water, so if your tap tastes like a swimming pool or a rusty pipe, guess what? Your coffee will too.
Always start with filtered or spring water. It makes a shocking difference. You can expect a smoother, cleaner, and less “muddy” brew.
You can look at it in this way: bad water will drag even the best beans down, while good water lets the coffee shine.
You Can’t Go Wrong with Coffee Beans, But You Can Mess Up the Grind
Buy beans you love. You can go with light, medium, or dark roast. Honestly, the roast or origin doesn’t matter here.
But the grind? That’s non-negotiable. Cold brew needs a coarse grind, like chunky sea salt. If you want to take cold brew seriously, it would be best to invest in a burr grinder. It’s the single easiest upgrade to better coffee at home.
Follow the Golden Coffee to Water Ratio Rule
Eyeballing might work for pasta, but not for cold brew. Stick to the sweet spot: 1:5 for cold brew concentrate.
Once you master that base, then you can adjust to your taste.
Be Brave and Add Some SALT
Sounds wrong, but it works. A tiny pinch of salt in your cold brew neutralizes bitterness and rounds out the flavor.
But when we say a tiny pinch, we really mean it. You don’t want to add too much to taste salty, just enough to smooth the edges.
Flavor Infusions is the Next Level
Cold brew is a blank canvas, so why not add some colors to it. Toss in a cinnamon stick, a strip of orange peel, or a vanilla bean while it steeps.
Even cocoa nibs or cardamom pods, if you’re feeling adventurous. The trick is to keep it subtle. You want just a hint of these flavors. They shouldn’t overpower the coffee taste. Start with one add-in per batch, and from there, you can adjust the amount of spices.
Once you’re happy with how your batch came out, stop by to any of our drive thru coffee shops and try our brand new signature Coker Cold Brew, made in collaboration with the famous athlete Jalen Coker. Maybe it will inspire you to tweak your recipe even further.
What is Cold Brew Coffee?
Cold brew is coffee made without heat. Instead of hot water pulling flavors out of the grounds in a few minutes, cold brew relies on time. It usually takes 12 to 18 hours to complete steeping.
The result? A brew that’s smoother, naturally sweeter, and less acidic than hot coffee poured over ice.
What is Nitro Cold Brew
When speaking about cold brew, it’s hard not to mention Nitro cold brew.
In this case, cold brew is infused with nitrogen gas and served on tap, like a stout beer. The nitrogen gives it a creamy texture, a cascading foam head, and a slightly sweeter taste without adding sugar.
The best part is that Nitro cold brew doesn’t need milk or a sweetener. It’s naturally smooth and indulgent on its own.
What Coffee is Best for Cold Brew?
The best coffee for cold brew is the one you actually enjoy drinking. That said, medium and dark roasts usually work the best. With these roasts, you can enjoy chocolatey, nutty, or caramel notes that taste fantastic cold.
Light roasts can work too, especially if you like fruity or tea-like flavors, but they sometimes come off a little sharp in cold water.
Pro tip: Always grind fresh. Pre-ground coffee goes stale fast and makes your cold brew taste flat.
What Do Cold Brews Taste Like?
Cold brew has a reputation for being smooth, bold, and low on bitterness. It’s sweeter and rounder than hot coffee. And compared to iced coffee, which can taste sharp or sour, cold brew is mellow and almost silky.
But how does it taste compared to iced coffee? Read that and other comparisons in our cold brew vs iced coffee article.
How Much Caffeine is in Cold Brew?
An 8-ounce cup of cold brew concentrate can have 200 mg of caffeine, and for that reason, people usually dilute the concentrate before drinking, which brings it closer to a strong cup of drip coffee. When diluted in a 1:1 ratio, you can expect an 8-ounce cup to have around 100 mg of caffeine.
Is Cold Brew Less Acidic?
Yes, cold brew is noticeably less acidic than hot coffee. The long, slow extraction in cold water skips a lot of the acids that show up in hot brewing.
That’s why cold brew feels gentler on the stomach and tastes sweeter, even without sugar. If regular coffee gives you heartburn, cold brew is often the smoother alternative.
FAQ
Can you make cold brew in a French Press?
Yes, a French press is perfect for cold brew. Just add coarse coffee grounds, pour in cold water, and let it steep 12-18 hours. After steeping, press the plunger down slowly, and you’ve got a smooth cold brew without any fancy gear.
How long does cold brew last in the fridge?
Cold brew keeps well in the fridge for 7-10 days if stored in an airtight container. For the best flavor, drink it within 3-4 days, when it’s at its freshest and smoothest.
How long to let cold brew steep?
The sweet spot is 12-18 hours in the refrigerator. Less than that and it’s weak, more than 20 and it can taste bitter.
How to use cold brew concentrate?
Cold brew concentrate is strong by design. Dilute it with water, milk, or even tonic before drinking. Start with a 1:1 ratio and adjust to taste. It’s also great for smoothies, baking, or even cocktails.
Does cold brew need to be refrigerated?
Yes, cold brew should always be refrigerated. Keeping it cold slows down oxidation, prevents bacterial growth, and preserves its smooth flavor.
